January 22, 2016 - Vertū Marketing

Everyone is allotted the same 24 hours in a day, but why do some people seem to accomplish so much more? From time to time, everyone from stay-at-home moms to entrepreneurs finds themselves facing a long to-do list and not enough time. While you cannot add more hours to the day, it is possible to manage time more effectively. Just a few simple changes to your schedule can lead to minutes or hours of freed-up time, which leads to more tasks accomplished in the same eight-hour work day. Consider the following practices:

Track your time spent on certain tasks. It is possible that you are spending more time on certain tasks than you realize. By keeping a log of how much time it takes you to complete daily routines, you may see that you need to adjust your schedule. If you discover that you need an hour to answer emails in the afternoon instead of 30 minutes, adjust your schedule to meet this demand.
Keep deadlines. You should certainly keep deadlines set by an employer, but respecting self-imposed deadlines can help keep you on track to complete large projects in a timely manner. Break down large tasks into segments and resolve to complete a small amount everyday. Eating the elephant one bite at a time, so to speak, will help you avoid a huge, time-sucking stress point just before a deadline.
Give yourself more time off. People who have regular breaks are more productive during work hours. Instead of taking work home or working after hours, resolve to use the workday to the fullest. This commitment to productivity allows you to be mentally and emotionally present while you are at home–something that will benefit both you and your loved ones.

If you need to take back control of your workday, it will take resolve and will power. It is not easy to right a ship that has been going in the wrong direction for years, but the effort to redirect your focus will reap many benefits for you, both professionally and personally.

There is no denying it — the outside can be messy. Bugs can be a nuisance, dirt and mud can worm their way into shoes, and, at times, the sun can be an unforgiving ally. But beyond these inconveniences, nature is an uninhibited escape, and, for some, a place for inner discovery.

In a world dominated by the Internet, TV and smart phones that buzz constantly with alerts, it is no wonder that so many people struggle to truly understand what their purpose in life is. Distractions are everywhere, all constantly clawing and begging for attention. When that soft tone buzzes in another alert from the smart phone, it is typically hard to say “no.”

Nature provides an escape from these distractions. There is no wi-fi, no televisions and no deep voices crooning through speakers at a coffee shop. Ready to put this distraction-free environment to your advantage? Try out these nature hacks.

Go hill rolling. If your usual sledding hills are bare from the warmer winter temperatures, put it to good use for another purpose. Make sure your path is clear of dangerous debris, then lie down, cross your arms and roll!

Hit the trails. Find the nearest forest or mountain and set out on an exploratory hike. Pack plenty of water and sunscreen and take along a notebook. Find a nice place to sit along the trail and spend some quality time with your mind. Write down any and everything that comes to mind.

Lace up your running shoes. Most runners now use smart phone apps to track their run distance and measure their average mile time. At least once, leave the phone and earbuds at home, and let your mind wander while your feet pound the pavement. You might be surprised what you discover about yourself while your body is busy with physical activity.

Smart phones have undoubtedly added significant value to our daily lives, but there is something integral that is lost when surrounded by an endless stream of distractions. For a few minutes at least, turn the phone off and try out a nature hack to not only better understand yourself but also your purpose.

You Don’t Need More Time In Your Day

Nature Hacks to Discover Life’s Purpose